Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who recently played his 100th Test for Bangladesh, gears up for the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), beginning December 26 in Sylhet, during a practice session at the BCB Academy Ground in Mirpur yesterday. PHOTO: BCB
With just a few days remaining before the start of the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the excitement surrounding the country's premier T20 tournament has yet to fully take hold.
Several factors may have contributed to the muted build-up. The tournament will not feature an opening ceremony, as it was cancelled by the BPL governing council due to security concerns. The competition is scheduled to begin on December 26 in Sylhet, marking the first time in BPL history that the opening match will be staged outside Dhaka.
Despite the relatively subdued atmosphere, franchises have shifted into high gear ahead of the tournament opener, with newcomers Rajshahi Warriors leading the early preparations.
Coached by former national opener Hannan Sarkar, Rajshahi held their first training session on Saturday at the BCB Academy Ground in Mirpur, where several senior and emerging players reported for duty. Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Jishan Alam, Yasir Ali, Akbar Ali, and Ripon Mondol were among those in attendance.
Hannan confirmed that all six overseas recruits -- Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Sandeep Lamichhane, Binura Fernando and Jahandad Khan -- will be available from the start of the competition.
"We are heading to Sylhet on the 23rd. The foreign players will join us on the 22nd, or by the morning of the 23rd, before we take the afternoon flight," Hannan told reporters, expressing confidence that the full squad will be available for the opening match.
Rajshahi have also decided to dedicate their official team jersey to the memory of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a frontline figure of the July uprising, paying tribute to his legacy and sacrifice.
Fresh off a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League title with Abahani Limited last season, Hannan said his ambitions remain unchanged with his new side. "The goal is always to be champions, but it's a step-by-step process. That approach will not change," he said.
Rajshahi will train again in Mirpur on Sunday before facing Rangpur Riders in a practice match at the Bashundhara Sports Complex on Monday at 12:30pm.
Elsewhere, Dhaka Capitals will begin their preparations on Sunday at the Cricketers Academy in Purbachal with local players, while head coach Toby Radford is due to arrive on December 23 -- the same day the team flies to Sylhet.
Another debutant franchise, Sylhet Titans, will also start training on Sunday at the Sylhet Outer Stadium under head coach Sohel Islam. Locally based players will train first, with the rest of the squad joining on Monday.
Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express are scheduled to arrive in Sylhet on December 22 and 23 respectively, and are expected to complete a few training sessions ahead of their opening fixtures.
Rangpur Riders, tipped as one of the tournament favourites, will be the last team to reach Sylhet, flying in on December 27 ahead of their December 29 opener. They begin training on Sunday at the Bashundhara Sports Complex and will face Rajshahi in a warm-up match on Monday. Rangpur's overseas players are expected from December 24, while head coach Mickey Arthur arrives in Dhaka on December 22.
With teams stepping up their preparations, fans will be hoping for a shift in mood as the upcoming edition of the BPL draws closer.
